COUNCIL chiefs have outlined the next stages of the Greater Manchester Spatial Framework after public consultation on the controversial building plan closed.

The deadline for residents to have their say on the proposals, which could see 16,400 new homes built across Bolton, including about 7,000 on green sites, passed on Monday night.

Bolton Council’s plan drew criticism from campaigners, residents and politicians, many of whom submitted objections before the deadline.

Now, the council has outlined what happens next in terms of developing the plan, which will set the agenda for house building and industrial developments in the borough for the next 20 years.

Following the public consultation, which was extended by more than a month to allow everyone to have their say, leaders in Greater Manchester will consider the comments and representations made and chiefs have said there is a potential that further public consultation will take place.

In July, a final draft plan for the whole conurbation will be produced, which, if agreed, will then be submitted in November.

This plan will then go through an examination period from Spring 2018 before potentially being adopted in January 2019.

Bolton Council’s executive cabinet member for development and regeneration Cllr Ebrahim Adia said: “’I would like to thank all those that have taken their time to respond to the consultation.

“The feedback will now be analysed by Officers and will help to inform the next stage of the development of the Greater Manchester Spatial Strategy.”

The existing Bolton framework proposal, which was signed off for consultation by Cllr Cliff Morris in his role as a member of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority has been the subject of much debate.

Many are unhappy about the amount of green space that has been allocated for housing in the borough, including Labour MP for Bolton North East Sir David Crausby who wrote to the combined authority and described Bolton Council’s plan as ‘tremendously confusing’ and suggested that the whole document needed to be revisited.

To view the entire proposed development plan go to greatermanchester-ca.gov.uk/info/20018/greater_manchester_spatial_framework